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#3 Others such as healthcare and housing allowances cannot be offered without a change in federal law, he said.

BS Leon. There's already court law when the Pentagon argued 'women' weren't allowed the same pay and benefits based upon 'law'. At the time it was about housing allowance, but the legal principle was established in court that they were. Can't wait till they apply for base/post housing, are refused, and the courts say otherwise. You threw away the defense that Congress makes the laws when you opened the door by your political action.

#8 Wait until installation housing offices are besieged by requests for "exceptional family member" quarters, and military hospitals are full of military members and "dependents" suffering from with HIV.

#10 JohnQC, the Esquire story was false - and aimed at promoting a political push for Obamacare.

The SEAL in question did not serve a full 20 years, nor was he medically retired, so he is not eligible for a pension any more than others who served and left early would be.

He, like all veterans who've served in combat, is eligible for 5 years of health care through the Veterans Administration. Apparently he was unaware of this (surprising, since it's part of outbriefings) or did not apply.

The reporter intentionally chose to describe that as denial of benefits, and refuses to change the story even when the details were confirmed, making clear the political bias and agenda.

#13 Used to be a tradition that one of the chemical branch officers graduating from Command and General Staff College* would replace the one sent to Johnston Island the previous year. Wonder if that 'Lucky Pierre' opportunity is still operating?

* cause you use to be obligated for two years active duty for attending the school and couldn't get out of it by putting your papers in. On the other hand, you could pick up a follow on assignment to Hawaii.